The Greed of Kronos

Wake Up

Seventy-five: Wake Up

“Auntie.” He shivered without breaking any eye contact with the unconscious Astian.

Seeing this, Astian’s mother was taken aback. But then she could not blame Kronos for acting in such a way as she acted like that too.

All she could do was to pull Kronos in her arms and comfort him with her words. “Look at this child. Don’t cry. Do you love Astian that much? Don’t worry, I tell you Astian is much more stronger than you think. Besides, he experienced being poisoned by a holy relic too years ago. Let’s be positive and wait for him to wake up, okay?”

Right at that moment, Kronos could not even think straight. While he was leaning on Astian’s mother as a support, his tears could not stop from escaping. “Mn.”

Some time passed by before Kronos finally sobered up from crying. Astian’s mother was so patient that she waited for Kronos and let him use her arms to rest.

But then, it was also worrisome thinking that Kronos got out of the Academy after stepping foot for just a few minutes.

Hence, Astian’s mother then broke the silence to ask a question with a soothing tone of voice. “Kronos, it’s getting late. Are you not going back to the Academy?”

Of course, the Duchess was thankful because Kronos made Astian his top priority. However, for a young master like Kronos, education is the key to success. She should not get overjoyed and instead make Kronos go to the Academy as soon as possible.

The Duchess thought about that. However, her resolve was shaken the moment she looked at Kronos, who seemed to be on the verge of crying once again.

And with a cracked tone of voice, Kronos mumbled. “Auntie.”

It was as if Astian’s mother felt like she was bullying a child. And that she felt like she could understand what Kronos was trying to say. Let’s just say that it’s a trait of the Ducal Family.

Thoughts aside, the Duchess then cupped Kronos’ cheeks as she replied in a flustered manner, making things clear to avoid misunderstandings. “Oh dear, I dare not kick you out. I merely asked about your lessons. No need to make this Auntie of yours guilty. You need to take it and teach Astian after he recovers.”

If she were to honestly comment, the Duchess was not expecting for Kronos to cry. He had an impression of a young lad who did not even bat an eye at the sight of someone dying in front of them (which was true). The Duchess even thought that Kronos was merely visiting casually like how the other kids visited Astian the last time. They had guilty expressions, and the others had hopeful ones as if they were praying for Astian to recover sooner. However, none of them shed a tear.

When the Duchess saw the devastated look on Kronos’ face as he was patiently waiting for someone to let him in to the mansion, Astian’s mother was taken aback. And she thought that that was it. But then, when Kronos started to silently cry, the Duchess thought of him as a soft person. Indeed, the first impression never lasts.

Kronos, on the other hand, thought about it for a moment and nodded. “Okay.”

He remembered Sir Samael getting mad at them because of something that he caused. And then, after that, their teacher mentioned that they would be receiving advanced lessons. Just as he thought, they were already starting. However, at that moment, it was not only Kronos who was behind in class, and unexpectedly it was also Astian. If he were to attend the lessons, he could also teach Astian himself as soon as he recovers, and his recuperation time would be done. More importantly, Astian’s mother was worried about him skipping class, and he was afraid that he was being a burden when it was already too heavy for the Dyclour family to have their only child lying unconscious on his bed.

But no matter how much of a valid reason he had to go back to the Academy, Kronos seemed to be frozen in the place where he was standing and was hesitating to leave Astian’s side.

That was why when the Duchess noticed Kronos having second thoughts, she gave him a pat on the head and assured him with her warm smile. “Don’t worry, Kronos. You can visit Astian every day. I’ll make sure to inform everyone in this house.”

Kronos was about to tell the Duchess that he was staying when the duke entered Astian’s room and called for him in an exhausted tone of voice. “Kronos.”

Come to think of it, he remembered the duke telling him to take care of Kronos in their stead when they met for the first time. And yet, something like that happened to their child.

With just the thought of it, Kronos’ vision was yet again starting to get cloudy as he dropped his head and replied like he was about to cry again. “Uncle. I’m sorry.”

With that being said, the duke then replied as if he expected for Kronos to behave that way. “It is not your fault. I heard that you were away because the crown prince needed you. You should not blame yourself.”

“...” He was not certain, but Kronos felt like he was the one responsible for Astian’s current state. More importantly, he broke his promise to take care of him. That was why he could not help but to stay silent.

Seeing that Kronos seemed to remain his silence and would not respond, the duke then continued as he looked at the big clock in Astian’s room. “Carry along now and go back to the Academy. Lunch break was already over.”

Right. He’s being a burden. There’s the duke and the Duchess to take care of Astian, and more importantly, he could just keep Raven and Skia in Astian’s room in case there would be signs of gaining consciousness.

Hence, after a moment of pondering, Kronos looked at the Dyclour couple and replied. “Okay.”

And shortly after that, he shifted his gaze towards the sleeping Astian and gently reached for his left hand. “Astian.”

Had he known that something like that would happen, he might have convinced Sir Samael to let Astian join them in their poison hunting instead of doing a very dangerous epitropi together with the class.

“Wake up already.” He added.

Ajax and Astian were the lookouts, but then Astian sacrificed himself for their epitropi to be cleared even though he knew the consequences of his action very well. Kronos could not discern what the chivalry act was for.

After a moment, Kronos got back to the Academy by using Skia and ordered the two of them to look for Astian and report immediately if he would show up some signs of being awake. And the whole time he was going back to the Academy, he was in a daze and was constantly worrying about Astian’s wellbeing.

And then, the next thing he knew, he was already opening the door of the classroom when Sir Samael snapped him back to reality. “Kronos.”

“Papa Noe.” The good teacher was looking at him with the same serious expression as he was writing something on the board. It was apparent that he was in the middle of a discussion when Kronos barged in.

And at times like those, the usual reaction of Sir Samael should have been getting angry and would give him a bucket of scolding.

But then, in the crisis that the exi class was facing, Sir Samael instead looked at Kronos for a long time before he responded. “If you wish to take care of Astian, you may. I will be giving you extra lessons since you were behind. More importantly, the two of you are excused for this week’s epitropi, given the circumstances. Does anyone agree with me?” When he asked the question, Sir Samael shifted his gaze towards the other people in the class.

And with that being said, they replied abruptly. “Of course!”

Needless to say, it was not only Kronos who was affected by Astian’s sudden matter. Because Sir Samael failed to protect his student, he was full of guilt too. Because the other kids were unable to have their epitropi to be smooth and they almost got caught, they were full of guilt too. Everyone was full of guilt, and they only had their own coping mechanism.

However, Kronos seemed to be the only one who appeared to be uninterested in coping up as he got to his seat in a daze while Sir Samael got back with his discussion.

Seeing the state of Kronos, his neighboring seat Naouii then looked at him and gave him a pat on the back as she tried to cheer him up, even for just a little bit. “Kronos. Cheer up! Astian would hate seeing you being anxious like this.”

It may be wrong to use Astian for Kronos to be back to normal, but there was no other way.

Because it seemed effective. “Yeah.”

Seeing that Kronos was slowly going back to his usual facial expression, Asisi then joined in to their conversation as if it was his turn to cheer Kronos up. “Come on, dude! Keep up your spirits! You’re going to be busy starting today, so you should not get distracted for the sake of Astian!”

Because the class was trying hard to cheer him up, he might as well put up a face and use it as a coping mechanism. After all, what they said was true.

Hence, after a short moment, Kronos looked at them and replied. “Alright.”

Upon hearing this, they beamed, which made Kronos to unconsciously blurt out a “Thanks.”

Kronos saying thank you were not new to them. Even though he was known for having a cold personality, he still says sorry when he’s at fault and says thank you when he appreciates things.

And the sincerest thank you among all was that thanks. Which was why it was Mikhail’s turn to show off a smile and respond. “No problem, we’re family after all! You are our representative to take care of Astian, alright? I’m giving you a big responsibility!”

With that being said, Kronos nodded and then focused on the discussion afterward. “Yes.”

Even though he was behind in the lessons, Kronos could still catch up with what the lecture was all about. He jotted down some notes from the notebook that had been under the desk for some time and earnestly wrote everything for Astian.

Shortly after that, Sir Samael dismissed the class earlier as he taught Kronos the first lessons that he had already discussed with the class. Kronos, on the other hand, listened and wrote down the important details.

When it was already the original dismissal time, Sir Samael let go of him as he went straight to the drama club to ask for consideration.

“Kronos.” The two seniors greeted him with a worried expressions on their faces.

Kronos was expecting for them to act like nothing concerning happened, but it turns out that telling them to consider their situation would be easier with how the things were going.

Thoughts aside, he greeted them back as he dipped his head lowly. “Seniors.”

With that being said, Senior Tati then did not take Kronos’ time and got straight to the point. “We heard about Astian. It’s fine if you cannot attend the drama club for a while. Take care of Astian for us, okay?”

Not only did he not have a hard time explaining but also that he did not even explain at all and the two of them decided to consider on their own. Just with that, Kronos felt like Astian really had a wide influence and impact.

Because his business at the drama club was done, Kronos looked at the two of them for a while before nodding and giving them his sincere appreciation before leaving. “Yes. Thank you.”